Major League Baseball - San Francisco Giants Sign Pitcher Randy Johnson to One Year Deal

The San Francisco Giants announced the signing of 21-year veteran pitcher, Randy Johnson, to a one-year $8 million contract. Johnson who is 45 years old, has been with the Arizona Diamondbacks the last two seasons. He grew up near the Bay Area in Livermore, California.

Randy Johnson's Career

Randy Johnson has won the Cy Young award five times and has amassed 295 wins in his 21 year career. He went 11-10 over 30 starts last season while striking out 174 batters with a 3.91 ERA. Johnson completed his 2nd season back with the Arizona Diamondbacks after returning from two years pitching in the American League for the New York Yankees. To date in his Major League Baseball career, "The Big Unit" has amassed 4789 strikeouts, and a 295-160 record with a 3.26 ERA. Johnson took a $8 million cut in pay from his 2008 salary to sign with the Giants for the 2009 season in order to return to the West Coast and spring training in Arizona. Amongst active pitchers, he is first in wins, strikeouts, and complete games (100) and second in career starts (586) to Tom Glavine.

San Francisco Giants 2009 Prospects

The Giant's signing of Randy Johnson for the 2009 season gives the team three former Cy Young award winners. Johnson joins 2008 NL Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum and 2002 AL Cy Young winner Barry Zito in the starting rotation. San Francisco will be the first team with three Cy Young award winners since the 2002 Atlanta Braves who had pitchers Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and John Smoltz in the rotation. WIth Johnson's signing, the Giants are hoping to improve on their 72-90 record from the 2008 season and their first post-season appearance since 2003.